Fluke vs Fieldpiece

[buzhall]

I ve been using a fluke meter forever and always trusted it,recently my fluke started acting up and decided to go with the fieldpiece,anyone else use fieldpiece? Have you had any problems? the thing i dont like is it never wants to read zero seems like it never wants to settle on zero,now when i take a reading it does settle out on the voltage there,i guess iam gonna just have to get used to it,maybe i just go and get me another fluke and keep the fieldpiece for backup. Starting a split changeout in a attic today,i was lucky enough to get one that was still working and the customer says to wait till the weather cools down before you start working in the attic.the thing is they called in the summer and the drain had stopped up so i spent a couple hours removing blower and cleaning it and the coil and drainpan so the ahu is like really clean,if it was already 410a i would just leave it,the old unit is a 21 years old tempstar and the evaporater dosent leak,wow,i think ill just put the old one to work in my building out back to keep my bass boat warm.

[dandyme]

never had any issues with fieldpiece meters, always thought fluke was over priced, and that opinion got worse after they purchased amprobe

[nsula_country]

Fluke is not cheap. Fluke is quality. I'd go Fluke. Just my $0.02. Your safety depends on reliable test equipment when working with electricity. If not Fluke, make sure it is fused.

CT

[socotech]

I like fluke better

[rockn_yota]

I love my UEI testers

[Tommy knocker]

I use the UEI- G2 in my service bag. All in one troubleshooter with no attachments. I use specialized testers when needed and fluke has some good ones. The shop buys those so I don't care. But for the money and durability UEI is what's in my bag. :)

[Tommy knocker]

I use the UEI- G2 in my service bag. All in one troubleshooter with no attachments. I use specialized testers when needed and fluke has some good ones. The shop buys those so I don't care. But for the money and durability UEI is what's in my bag. :)

Never used field piece myself so don't Know about them.

[Tony3696]

I use fieldpiece & would buy them again. You get used to the "no zero".

[3rdlaw]

i am a field piece user and i have a couple of flukes ... my meter has been very trust worthy i have had 4 field piece meters .. they are
versatile , the magnet and strap are like a third hand ... beeping high voltage , handy when trouble shooting control circuits on racks . capacitance checker very handy , temp probe handy checking subcooling and superheat on the fly ... amp clamp connects to leads which is very versatile in tight spots .... unit also has non contact voltage feature great when checking glass door heaters , power cords etc.
min max current , dc volts , micro amps , and capacitance ,,,, in the field over 25years ... thats my 2 cents

[Nytefog]

Only buy the Fluke models made in the USA! They have a longer warranty and higher price then their outsourced models. I've used fluke since i was a kid playing with my fathers so thats all i trust when it comes to playing with high voltage Did you know you can fit a penny into a receptical? I did around age 4-5 oops!!. Fluke makes models for everyones price range but dont think its worth buying the low end models.. Like anything else higher quality items cost more and usually have a better warranty. I have used other brands and have nothing against fieldpiece but i trust my life to my fluke 28II, 1587 megger and a 179 i lent to a friend and it has appeared to disapear!! I did buy a 327 clamp meter with the iflex to for safety and convenience.......I confess... i am addicted to tools i have way to many meters and digital refrigerant analyzers. I reallly wish the AK900 had clamp sensor temp probes i made my own but i find it crazy they don't develop an oem model. I do like the sensors with the rubber boots and velcro straps. They do work well but take longer to attach and time is money and extra 2-3 minutes adds up quickly. I was considering popping out my testo thermisters and pop in the digicools thermister in their place. The think is i do like my testo DRSA especially my new 570 so i can print results to show customers. I do have have the sman 3 but am letting another employee using them this summer until he can get his ak900's. I rather have him gettting accurate measurements and prevent callbacks. Customers LOVE when they see you using "high-tech" tools on their equipment. You can then explain to them how things work which make the customer feel more at ease know you know your ISH!! rather then the guy with his analog guages and thermometer trying to set superheat without wet bulb measurements.

MY all time favorite with new customer is " i've never seen any other techs using tools like the ones you have" i just smile and say you have someone that know what their doing now. I mau cost more but if you want to done right these tools cost money!! lol SORRY for stealing the thread!!

BTW, Combustion Analyzers blow customers away. You should them how poorly their systems been running for so many years.... I've found many brand new gas furances with two/three stage heating with gas pressures so off they were luck they didn't kill people and set the places on fire.

[hkempf]

nicely put nytefog, yes i also love to tell customers i like the high tech more acurate instruments, so they get the most efficeniency out of their system. i am currently using the sman 3, what do you think of the ak900 compared to it, i have been thinking of switching, i dont care about the superheat calculator since i use a fieldpiece srh3, and dont trust the vac guage, whats your opinion

[hotrodrob]

Fluke was the tool to have 20 years ago. Now im not so sure. I have two that i use a 902 and a 116, not sure if chinese or usa made no label. Put one temp probe in ice water and there is 17 degrees difference between the two meters. One reads 2 degrees low and another 15 degrees high. They are both only a couple years old and well taken care of. I dont abuse my tools. Im looking at fieldpiece myself for some replacements.

[alcomech]

Like Nytefog said, I also buy Fluke because its hands down the BEST meter you can buy. I bet my life with it every day when I use it.
When working with 460 volts 3 phase every day that meter needs to work and with-stand the harsh environment on a daily basis.
I got a trusted meter which is an old Fluke 27. It was the best in its day and still works great. Sure I have had it re-calibrated because I need accuracy not guess work. Oh and it does zero out better than any other meter which I have. Its not my every day meter though. In my bag a normally use a Fluke 902 which has a CAT III rating @ 600 Volts and is True-rms. The only thing I don't like about it is that it will not read below 10 micro fared for capacitance. No big deal for me though as I normally don't require such a low reading, and when needed I break out my new Fluke 87v.

Now the Fluke 87v is a must have for me. I got jobs where I can not bring a meter that has less than a CAT IV @ 600 volts and this meter is rated @ CAT III 1000 volts. This meter has it all. Its great when servicing VFD's as it easily reads hertz. Amperage is easily read with the use of the i400 current clamp. Great for start ups so that the enclosure can be closed. Beware of the arc flash.

That reminds me of the time when we were in a very large panel and when one other the guys said he was gonna go out and get his meter. (A real meter) and the electronic genius that worked at the plant wiggled his way in between us and landed his meter on the buss bars and that toy meter blow up. Thank god he did not hurt himself or the guys standing around.

Sure I have used the cheaper brands in the beginning of my career when I started. But after seeing videos and u-tube clips on arc flash explosion. Never Again will I use a cheap meter.

[Tempted]

I grew up on fieldpiece and like the accessories. I bought a fluke and have it for a spare. I have had issues with my fieldpieces mainly in the temp areas but then I dont treat them like I should either. I'm pretty rough on my my tools.

[jtrammel]

I use fluke and field piece, the fluke 902 is my backup to my fp hs36. I also like the fp bag for the hs36 you can actually fit fuses jumper wires wire nuts etc in it, my fluke bag is barely big enough for the meter itself.

[Nytefog]

I grew up on fieldpiece and like the accessories. I bought a fluke and have it for a spare. I have had issues with my fieldpieces mainly in the temp areas but then I dont treat them like I should either. I'm pretty rough on my my tools.

I'm very rough on my tools as well. This is why i either buy very good quality tools that can withstand my punishment or very inexpensive tools that i can replace often and easily. Any tool that if its malfunctioning could cause me to lose my life i make sure to buy the most reliable and well built. I consider a voltage tester and CO & combustable gas detection devices to be on the top of my list not including eye, ear, breathing, and skin protection devices.

I'm pretty particular about tools and almost always have replacements available. It only took one time of having something breaking during a job. Ever since, i have certain replacement tools i keep on hand at all times. Same thing with certain parts.

I'm not a big fan of the Fluke 902. I don't like its resistance/cont. testing. I don't find it to be accurate enough. I keep my 902 in my personal vehicle for emergency. I just put lithium ion Batteries in it so i don't have to worry about them failing for 10 years.

[chuckcrj]

Like Nytefog said, I also buy Fluke because its hands down the BEST meter you can buy. I bet my life with it every day when I use it.
When working with 460 volts 3 phase every day that meter needs to work and with-stand the harsh environment on a daily basis.
I got a trusted meter which is an old Fluke 27. It was the best in its day and still works great. Sure I have had it re-calibrated because I need accuracy not guess work. Oh and it does zero out better than any other meter which I have. Its not my every day meter though. In my bag a normally use a Fluke 902 which has a CAT III rating @ 600 Volts and is True-rms. The only thing I don't like about it is that it will not read below 10 micro fared for capacitance. No big deal for me though as I normally don't require such a low reading, and when needed I break out my new Fluke 87v.

Now the Fluke 87v is a must have for me. I got jobs where I can not bring a meter that has less than a CAT IV @ 600 volts and this meter is rated @ CAT III 1000 volts. This meter has it all. Its great when servicing VFD's as it easily reads hertz. Amperage is easily read with the use of the i400 current clamp. Great for start ups so that the enclosure can be closed. Beware of the arc flash.

That reminds me of the time when we were in a very large panel and when one other the guys said he was gonna go out and get his meter. (A real meter) and the electronic genius that worked at the plant wiggled his way in between us and landed his meter on the buss bars and that toy meter blow up. Thank god he did not hurt himself or the guys standing around.

Sure I have used the cheaper brands in the beginning of my career when I started. But after seeing videos and u-tube clips on arc flash explosion. Never Again will I use a cheap meter.

So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

[buzhall]

if you feel safe with it use it,i tried a yogagawa once and while on a roof the outdoor temp was like 100 and the thing lied to me
So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

[buzhall]

i was shocked,lol
if you feel safe with it use it,i tried a yogagawa once and while on a roof the outdoor temp was like 100 and the thing lied to me

[ADillon]

I have both and have never had a problem with either. I like FP for the price and versatility over FLUKE

[dannyp19]

Simpson 360. Best damn meter ever built. My grandad gave me his old one 30 years ago and he used it for 25 years. It had the leather case and was dropped, rained on, and abused for 50+ years. I retired it to the shop a few years ago and it still works. Can you say that about any meter on the market now?


Now I use a Fluke. Fieldpiece is OK also. UEI is unreliable electronic instrument! Every UEI instrument I have owned is crap after 2 years.

[nsula_country]

So if my non-fluke meter is rated CAT 3 and certified by IEC, UL, and CE, it is somehow less safe to use than a Fluke???

If it is rated CAT III then it should be a good instrument. Personally I still like a Fluke, especially my 187.

319901


CT

[jguy4427]

Only buy the Fluke models made in the USA! They have a longer warranty and higher price then their outsourced models. I've used fluke since i was a kid playing with my fathers so thats all i trust when it comes to playing with high voltage Did you know you can fit a penny into a receptical? I did around age 4-5 oops!!. Fluke makes models for everyones price range but dont think its worth buying the low end models.. Like anything else higher quality items cost more and usually have a better warranty. I have used other brands and have nothing against fieldpiece but i trust my life to my fluke 28II, 1587 megger and a 179 i lent to a friend and it has appeared to disapear!! I did buy a 327 clamp meter with the iflex to for safety and convenience.......I confess... i am addicted to tools i have way to many meters and digital refrigerant analyzers. I reallly wish the AK900 had clamp sensor temp probes i made my own but i find it crazy they don't develop an oem model. I do like the sensors with the rubber boots and velcro straps. They do work well but take longer to attach and time is money and extra 2-3 minutes adds up quickly. I was considering popping out my testo thermisters and pop in the digicools thermister in their place. The think is i do like my testo DRSA especially my new 570 so i can print results to show customers. I do have have the sman 3 but am letting another employee using them this summer until he can get his ak900's. I rather have him gettting accurate measurements and prevent callbacks. Customers LOVE when they see you using "high-tech" tools on their equipment. You can then explain to them how things work which make the customer feel more at ease know you know your ISH!! rather then the guy with his analog guages and thermometer trying to set superheat without wet bulb measurements.

MY all time favorite with new customer is " i've never seen any other techs using tools like the ones you have" i just smile and say you have someone that know what their doing now. I mau cost more but if you want to done right these tools cost money!! lol SORRY for stealing the thread!!

BTW, Combustion Analyzers blow customers away. You should them how poorly their systems been running for so many years.... I've found many brand new gas furances with two/three stage heating with gas pressures so off they were luck they didn't kill people and set the places on fire.
Are certain model numbers made in the USA and others made elsewhere?

[Nytefog]

Yes, the higher end DMM are made in the USA and others, i believe are made in china. MY 28II is a USA made model and has a better warranty then some other models.

Check out this link for 80 Series DMM
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/Digital-Multimeters/Fluke-80-Series-V.htm?PID=56135

VS. This link for 117 DMM
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/digital-multimeters/Fluke-116.htm?PID=55994

Notice the warranty difference and where it says its made or the exclusion of this information.....

Check out this dude that tears apart meters.

BTW (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k9nVg03Wi4),

[jguy4427]

Thanks Nytefog. Very informative.

[bfusch]

I've always had great luck with my Fieldpiece. Plus, it's got a cannon on it. SOLD!

[atmosphere]

Fieldpiece looks alot like the old Beckman meters that were the HVAC industry standard in the '80's after the Simpson 260. The engineer left Beckman and went to Fieldpiece.Fieldpiece has always been mainly for the HVAC industry, providing meters with Milliamps, Temp, microfarad, DC AC volts,etc. these meters are tough, reliable and accurate and are made for cold, frozen, and wet rooftops as well as nasty boiler rooms.
These meters are made for our trade. They can be used by electricians, but are made mainly "FUBU" that is "for us by us".

Let's look out for our own. Brea,California, USA.

But the choice is yours.

[hammons_joseph]

I also recently changed to an HS 36 Field Piece after using ideal or flukes for 2 decades. The Field Piece does have that really weird number generator feature in AC volt test mode.. I found myself carrying 2 meters in my hand to do even menial testing because I was unsure of what the meter was really reading when I first started using it. The field Piece does have the beep and light "on" function that triggers at a certain real voltage, but wouldn't a stable "0" volt reading be more comforting and desirable ? I guess now I am going through a paridigm shift and now believe that the random 300 volt reading on my display really means " circuit dead" ... Am I missing something about this feature ?

[dna]

I have an older Fieldpiece SC67-at least approaching 10 years old. Used heavily over the years, seldom dropped(just a few times). Still works well. I never had a Fluke or even used one..........I don't have to......I will be buying another FP based upon the success i've had with this one.
http://fieldpiece.com/clamp-meters/sc67

[bsnowden]

I just recently purchased the Fluke 902 Clamp meter after doing some research on many clamp meters. My dad has always had fluke and they seem very durable. So far I have been satisfied with mine.

[Dchappa21]

I also recently changed to an HS 36 Field Piece after using ideal or flukes for 2 decades. The Field Piece does have that really weird number generator feature in AC volt test mode.. I found myself carrying 2 meters in my hand to do even menial testing because I was unsure of what the meter was really reading when I first started using it. The field Piece does have the beep and light "on" function that triggers at a certain real voltage, but wouldn't a stable "0" volt reading be more comforting and desirable ? I guess now I am going through a paridigm shift and now believe that the random 300 volt reading on my display really means " circuit dead" ... Am I missing something about this feature ?

Your reading 300 MV so ya it's a dead circuit...

[hammons_joseph]

Your reading 300 MV so ya it's a dead circuit...

ok, that makes more sense. Thanks for that clarification... I knew I had to be missing something

[toone75]

Has anybody else had problems with the sman 3 pipe clamps.

I have had my sman 3 for under a year.

I haven't needed to use it but a handful of times and I have already broke both clamps. Maybe it's the cold weather or the hot pipe in cold weather. But both clamps broke on the side. Where the metal spring and plastic clamp join.

[dandyme]

does fluke make a set of gauges?
how does this fall into fieldpiece vs. fluke?





Has anybody else had problems with the sman 3 pipe clamps.


just take them back to where you got them from and see them to get you squared away, unless it was ebay; then you're probably SOL

[Foehammer]

I dont think you'll go wrong with either, i use F.P. and Fluke, also recently purchased a Klein mm2000 ,seems to be an ok meter (my fluke 110 was getting alittle worn, sick of fooling with the broken knob)

[Nytefog]

If the 110 was made in the USA it should have a lifetime warranty. Send it back for repair

[Nytefog]

Has anybody else had problems with the sman 3 pipe clamps.

I have had my sman 3 for under a year.

I haven't needed to use it but a handful of times and I have already broke both clamps. Maybe it's the cold weather or the hot pipe in cold weather. But both clamps broke on the side. Where the metal spring and plastic clamp join.


If you bought the sman3 gauge when they first were released they had a problem with the temp clamps breaking. I got a new set from fieldpiece. I just emailed them.

[cjett]

ok, that makes more sense. Thanks for that clarification... I knew I had to be missing something

If it is similar to my Flukes you should see the MV next to the voltage reading instead of V (volts) when that happens, in case you missed seeing that on your meter. I always look for that on any voltage reading I take because I was confused too when I first started using True RMS meters.

[KerryA]

You can't go wrong with a Fluke ....... if it worked for years why change brands?

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

[Mr Bill]

Which is the best Ruud, Lennox about the same as asking which instrument mfg. is best. I say which ever one works best for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nytefog]

Which is the best Ruud, Lennox about the same as asking which instrument mfg. is best. I say which ever one works best for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With tools their are clear winners and losers. With equipment its more about how its installed and then the quality of the equipmewnt... When your trusting you life to a tools that needs to give you important information like if voltage is present..... One of my tech recently bought a cheapo voltage meter that he thought was great. I pulled my meter out and read the voltage from a near by receptical. I read 121 VAC he takes the same reading and gets 3 VAC.... I just looked at him and told him to put it in the scrap pile!

[Mr Bill]

With tools their are clear winners and losers. With equipment its more about how its installed and then the quality of the equipment...

I was really just talking about a stand alone piece of equipment as an example not the install, and remember any meter is only as good as the person using it. :grin2:
I don't think there are any winners or losers when your comparing Fieldpiece and Fluke, there both winners IMO.

[poleaxem]

It's all about personal preference, I like the Fieldpiece HS36.

[dec]

Have both fluke and fieldpiece, I have no problem with either brand depending on what I'm doing but honestly I usally grab the fieldpiece . I think its more of what your more comfortable with.

I had a meter I bought some 35 years ago that had johnstone supply sticker on it. I have no idea what manufacture really made it but I used that thing a good 15 years and 1 day it disappeared ........... stolen by a customer but I could not prove it. Now it took me a couple years to get as comfortable with the replacement meter as I was with that Johnstone supply meter. The one big thing was that older meter didn't do half what the new meter would tho so I guess I was ahead that it was stolen so I would buy a new meter I could do a lot more then I knew I could do being I was using something out dated.

First meter was the old Amprobe with battery in line of one of the probes . That was pretty trick for the time lol.

You see this debate come up all the time but I guess it all depends on what your working on and what your willing to pay. I wont buy cheap meters but I'm not willing to not try other brands being they claim 1 is the only way to go. I am a lot more cautious now then I was starting out. Have seen to many electrocutions over the years and a couple were good friends. Don't let your guard down ....... or it will come back to bite ya :gah:

[Nytefog]

It's all about personal preference, I like the Fieldpiece HS36.

I agree. I do my Fieldpieces manometer over my Testo 510's, but prefer my fluke DMM. i grew up using fluke products so i have been influenced. For some reason i find Fluke to be made for more professional use then Fieldpiece. Just my personal opinion and in no way am implying fieldpiece is poorly made. I do own some of their products.

[Justhowe]

Alcomech, nice attachments there. Thanks for posting them.

[spliskin]

I've had my Sman3 over a year and clamps are fine. I did buy the black smaller one for refrigeration systems. I sometimes use my fluke clamp. Original batteries still. My first piece of Fieldpiece. Bought a FP anemometer and when my Flukes 52, 187, 334 need replaced they may become Fieldpiece also. I never bothered with FP because I didn't like the head adapter stuff. I rather like standalone dedicated tools. I like that FP actually understand our trade. Fluke doesn't quite get it.
I've had Fluke meters the last 25 years.

[TriplePoint]

Begin rant. I was pissed to find out my fluke 381 was made in china or some far off place. End rant

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[Nytefog]

Begin rant. I was pissed to find out my fluke 381 was made in china or some far off place. End rant

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

The more expensive Fluke products are made in the USA. The US made products also have a lifetime warranty and the other do not. Got to be careful when you buy ANYTHING. Its a shame....

[TriplePoint]

I paid 400 for it and the damn thing is imported. I have a 87v that cost over 3 bills and it is made here. I love the 381 though just disapointed with fluke. It seems that the products with the lifetime waranty are made here. :beer:

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[phxhvac]

You can't beat the quality of Fluke! Fieldpiece seems to be cheaply made, but it has more bells and whistles. When I'm working on 460v, I trust Fluke over Fieldpiece any day!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Nytefog]

...When I'm working on 460v, I trust Fluke over Fieldpiece any day!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

I concur!


My 1586, 87V and 28II are made in the USA and i won't replace them for anything else. The only product of theirs i have that i know isn't made in the USA is 376... I have written Fluke and hope they give me a honest respones about products made in the USA. I requested a list of DMM and amp probes that are made in the USA and any other products made here.

I will be very disappointed if they completely stop producing products in this country. I do trust their testing products over all others and don't think i will be able to convert with out a tremendous effort and proof provided by another manufacturer!

I do wish Fluke had a DMM/Amp Probe that had all of the functions needed for HVAC work.

I would accept products made in Germany. They have a excellent reputation and produce some of the finest automobiles out their. Even the Japs copy their designs!

[TriplePoint]

I concur!


My 1586, 87V and 28II are made in the USA and i won't replace them for anything else. The only product of theirs i have that i know isn't made in the USA is 376... I have written Fluke and hope they give me a honest respones about products made in the USA. I requested a list of DMM and amp probes that are made in the USA and any other products made here.

I will be very disappointed if they completely stop producing products in this country. I do trust their testing products over all others and don't think i will be able to convert with out a tremendous effort and proof provided by another manufacturer!

I do wish Fluke had a DMM/Amp Probe that had all of the functions needed for HVAC work.

I would accept products made in Germany. They have a excellent reputation and produce some of the finest automobiles out their. Even the Japs copy their designs!

:thumbup: let us know if you hear back from them.

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

[Nytefog]

Here is an example of a Fluke product made in the USA

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/Digital-Multimeters/Fluke-80-Series-V.htm?PID=56135

Read the Bulllet Points at the top of the page.


All of Flukes Industrial Products are made in the USA and have a Lifetime Warranty if im not mistaken.

[Coolingfolks]

Fluke for me all the way.

[santacruz714]

I have a Fieldpiece and like most said it does have a hard time reading zero but everyone in my trade school including instructors trust and use Fieldpiece, some have old abused meters that are still going

[fordrules]

I've been a fluke guy till now, But recently got a fieldpiece sc56. I still use and trust My flukes, but that sc56 is a great meter.

[a4372302]

i just wish my fluke 902 measured millivolts. other than that no complaints

[allstar08]

I have a mix of both. I find that Fieldpiece makes items more with the technician in mind. I use Fluke meters for the most part and Fieldpiece for my specialty tools. I recently picked up their wireless scale, I love it! I almost don't want to use it it is so pretty.